JaymzHatstand

Something to go with the HUOs, a loco to push a few around a small yard, but one which would be useful in all sorts of other places too. Something like a J71 or J72 maybe, very long lived (starting as the NER E and E1) and plenty of livery and detail variations. One still exists so there's an obvious Exclusove edition or two to be had there! That could also be a good link to having the NER hopper wagons scaled up too, or, do them first, then the loco? Either way, I think there's a potential for lots of winners from that! Though my bank balance wouldn't be one of them! Cheers J

This is looking and sounding very much like mine, though I got carried away and did a bit more body detailing before getting it running properly! At least I can attend to the chassis separately to sort that! I have been struggling to get pickups fitted (always a bugbear of mine) without them being visible, can I ask where yours are, as I can't seem to make them out in the photos. Looking forward to seeing further progress, as it's a good looking loco, though, as we're seeing, the kit is showing its age somewhat! I have one of Arthur's J25s in to pile, and I'm looking forward to that, his J71 was an absolute pleasure! Cheers J

Just a quick note to say thanks for the excellent service! I had an issue with one of the prints I received late last year (and hasn't had chance to look at until recently) and emailed about it at around 2200 last Saturday night. Thought (reasonably) that if maybe get a reply on the Monday, but no, within 5 minutes I had a response and a promise of a replacement in the post on the Monday! It arrived during the week and is spot on, so thanks very much for that, it's much appreciated! A quality product, and a quality service! Cheers J

If only! An RTR Locomotion would be an excellent addition to the range! Now THAT'S original S&D! 😉 The 8f is one I've always fancied, as my Margate one is getting a bit long in the tooth now, but for the price I think I'll wait and see if one comes from another source as it seems like a dead cert in due course. When in doubt, it seems, make something in the Dublo range. Which does seem a bit opportunistic. I could have been tempted by one of the Scotsman range, or a Gathering A4, but not at the extra bunce needed for the die-cast gimmick thankyou. Cheers J

And in terms of unltimate accuracy, they've even made the big dummy headlight work! Even the real one didn't do that! I really don't understand why they've gone for something covered well already, in a model that still holds up well today, despite being a good few years old. Hey ho, it's not my money! Cheers J

I'd imagine old Si would even loose out in a contest of knowing what was important to the market he purports to serve! Imagine discovering that VCM was a secret modeller! Mind, having seen her performance on Taskmaster, I don't think the practical aspects would be quite up her street! I'll have a watch, it's more interesting for the other aspects of the company to be honest, the Airfix segments last series were particularly good. Cheers J

Some lovely work on the plough, a few ideas indeed for when I make a start on mine. Did you ever solve the bowed sides? Mine is splayed out somewhat on either side, as if it's had too much turkey! All the best for the festive season and the New Year Cheers J

This is good news indeed! I've managed to pick up several teaks of various guises from an array of sources over the years, but oddly not a suitable selection to make a full train (not a realistic one anyway!) This is one a non corridor brake third with MJT under-gubbins and other extra details from plastic strip. It's still awaiting lettering and glazing, but was certainly worth a little extra work! I had started making a Tourist set from the Mailcoach kits before they became unavailable, so them seeing the light again will be nice (even if the full sides moulded in clear plastic is a modelling challenge at times!) The request from PPP as to which kits would be wanted is a good idea, but I was wondering if there is a list anywhere, or if anyone has one, of what kits/carriage diagrams are actually in the range. Very much looking forward to the reintroduction, and I'm sure MJT are just as excited about the resulting purchase of plenty of underframe bits and other details! Cheers J

Echoing others thoughts here, sad new and thoughts and sympathies with you all at this difficult time. I had been creating a shopping list for the new year as I'm running low on a few supplies, but my personal modelling hindrances pale into insignificance against your announcement. All the best and thanks for the fantastic service and range availability in the past. You will be sorely missed! Cheers J

Ooooooo! Well, one of the NER black ones might just find its way ontoy planned 1917(ish) era planned shunting yard. I've got an E, a U and a few wagons for it to push about (so far!) The green ones do look lovely, but a bit out of period, so I'll have to see what they're like price wise before making a full decision! An LNER black one would be a nice acquisition too! Oh dear! I'll definitely be following this with interest! Cheers J

Thanks to the Black Friday offer, and my accumulated points, I placed a reasonably sized order yesterday evening. Very much looking forward to it arriving in due course (once you get Warley out of the way!) And setting to work painting them, and then populating my layout and a few more locos. Now, where will the Rev. Awdry go?! Cheers J

My green loco arrived just before we had to go to Anglesey for a Christening, so I didn't have chance for a proper look, but since we got back, wow! An absolutely fantastic model, and such a wonderful canvas for some customisation! The extra tool boxes are a lovely touch (and they won't all find their way onto this loco, but will elsewhere I'm sure!) So, with the tool boxes in mind, I set to work investigating where a couple could go. Using a bit of scrap plasticard, I've fabricated a shelf for the back of the cab, with a couple of toolboxes on, and I dare say a few other items may end up on there. I did however not take into account the handbrake standard, so will have to make a couple of adjustments! A ModelU crew will appear in due course, along with some nameplates, red coupling rods and a bit of light weathering which should finish it off nicely. Very much looking forward to the sound chip arriving in due course, and the worksplates (which were missing from the box) So tempted by a second one for a Lambton conversion! Cheers J

The photos in the NERA publication in Snowploughs, aren't very conclusive, as most show them with snow on the fronts, or not enough angle on the photo to tell! Black and white photos aren't always the easiest to work out either, especially as the different material would give the paint a slightly different sheen. There are colour photos of the two preserved examples, the NRM's No12 (D.U31) which has a bare metal leading edge, and No18 (D.U19) which has a fully painted leading edge. Both are in NER liveries. There are a couple of BR olive green examples featured too, which are all over green. The best photo for LNER modelling features two U19s, one of which is a front 3/4 view, slightly elevated so the light on the plough is pretty even, and I'd say that the whole thing is Oxford blue. Hopefully this is of some use (and makes sense!) Any questions, don't hesitate to ask and I'll see what I can find! Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours (and to mine arriving) Cheers J

Number 4 would require a bit of work, he has a different smokebox handrails and the nameplates are in a different position, being at the front of the tanks rather than central, so there'd be some carving and repainting to do. I suspect there are several other differences, but those are the two big visual ones that I can think of at present! I'm sure someone can provide a little more detail on that. Hope this helps. Cheers J

I've just seen that the Rev Awdry is now available as well, he was going to be another suggestion of mine, I wonder if Rev Teddy Boston would also be possible, after they were both of course immortalised in the book 'Duke the Lost Engine', as the Thin and Fat Clergymen respectively! It would be interesting to know what is required to create figures of people no longer with us, and what sort of variables are taken into account before work begins on them. Presumably the likelihood of sales is a key factor and I'm certainly not asking for any trade sensitive information! Just waiting for payday before placing an order or two! Cheers J

At least that was an amusing bit of autocorrect subterfuge! Could've been worse! I'll leave it fo comic effect! Cheers J

Thanks for that, and well done on another bumper selection of new figures for this month! I can sense that a number of the 009 crews will be joining my staff in due course! I still need to add some of the fishermen to my dockside layout too, but finding the time is always the killer! As for the 'famous faces' I was still thinking in a railway sphere with such noteworthy persons as George Stephenson (though how possible it would be to model one to ride on the Hornby Rocket, I'm not sure!) And maybe the 'Big Four' men, Gresley (with duck!), Stanier, Bullied and Collette. I'm sure there are many more, and some would be easier than others, but as you say the viability would need to be there. Cheers J

Aye, I saw that too, and I seem to recall it being said that the ones being dealt with at source will most probably be distributed before (or at the same time) as the RoS ones, meaning the direct customers should receive theirs a few days earlier (apologies if I've got the wrong end of the stick here!) Cue me setting up camp by the front door so I don't miss Mr Postie! Cheers J

It's always fascinating to see what developments are in the pipeline, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what will be in the narrow gauge range. I notice that old IKB is in the 'famous faces' category on the website, one wonders who else may appear in such a range, I've got a few thoughts on who I'd like to see, but whether they are viable is a completely different matter! One day may even find time to get some paint on the backlog of figures I've got! Cheers J

The E1 is looking very smart, yet another one giving me ideas for a similar project! How much filling of holes is needed after removal of the vac gear? Cheers J

That's never a bad thing! Oozing atmosphere and really looking the Beas knees! Cheers J

I must admit a level of ignorance when it comes to tank wagons, and knowing what would be seen, and when. Would one of these be seen in a mixed goods, or would they run in blocks? I know several of various designs and origins have made it into preservation, with a couple which look similar (to me at least) to these on the NYMR, a black ESSO, and a brown United Molasses vehicle (though I think the latter is an earlier build). The type of tank and discharge arrangements are outside my sphere of knowledge, so I've no idea if one of the new Dapol wagons will be suitable for one (or both) of these! Images of the two wagons in question can be found here http://ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk/wagonsNYMR_page3.html If anyone can shed any light on the suitability of the Dapol offering for either of these, I'd be most grateful! Cheers, J

Happily paid for my green example the other day, after upgrading to the sound version and looking forward to it arriving in due course. I'll be getting some nameplates eventually, but can't decide which style to go for! Some light weathering for an industrial 'pet' locomotive is in order to methinks! Cheers J

Nothing has been mentioned on any of their social media channels since the range launch that I can remember. We've certainly not seen any early EPs or anything yet, and we got that for the Coronation Scot carriages when they were at a ready stage. Obviously that's not to say that nothing is happening, as I'd suspect that things are progressing, maybe just not anything substantial (or maybe even satisfactory) enough to generate their usual style of update. It entirely possible that they've had EPs, which either didn't work, or didn't have the requisite level of detail/accuracy and understandably they don't want to show that. I'm very much looking forward to seeing them as and when they appear, and at least the longer they take, the more pennies I can set aside to hopefully be able to afford a set! Cheers J

It was maybe suggested that one would look nice in crimson! Cheers J